FB: American Rivers Conference

[Klompen]

It is always easy to predict that one or two games will play a key role in determining the conference champs.  In recent years most people have pointed to Central/Wartburg and that will be big again this year.  But what game will be a surprise pivotal game in determining the IIAC champion this year?  

[Klompen]

I can't tell if last year was fun for Central fans or too nerve racking...there were a LOT of close games last year for the Dutch!!!

Well, once you throw out being shocked with a dephibralator in the 4th quarter of nearly every conference game, it was fun.   

[koekrazy87]

I think Coe Vs. UDubb will be an interesting game becuase Coe's defense returns many of their starters, only losing strope at DT and Squires at SS, going against the always potent Spartan Offense.  Also as always Wartburg Vs. Central will be a big one with both tailback gone from Wartburg and many good starters from the Dutch D gone also.

[Kohawk Krazy]

I think Coe Vs. UDubb will be an interesting game becuase Coe's defense returns many of their starters, only losing strope at DT and Squires at SS, going against the always potent Spartan Offense.  Also as always Wartburg Vs. Central will be a big one with both tailback gone from Wartburg and many good starters from the Dutch D gone also.

Not to knock UD, but I don't think their offense will be as good this year as it was last year.  Jackson was a HUGE part of that team.

[the_mayne_event]

I think Coe Vs. UDubb will be an interesting game becuase Coe's defense returns many of their starters, only losing strope at DT and Squires at SS, going against the always potent Spartan Offense.  Also as always Wartburg Vs. Central will be a big one with both tailback gone from Wartburg and many good starters from the Dutch D gone also.

Not to knock UD, but I don't think their offense will be as good this year as it was last year.  Jackson was a HUGE part of that team.

I agree.  i would have to say taht Wartburg will be Coe's big game this year.  time to get the preverbial monkey of their back and win one finally.  they're 0 in their last 5 i believe (last win comming in 2002 - Freddie....Freddie...)
Cornel's first conference game will be big for them, see if they can muster up a W
UD's will probably be their first game as well, to see how the offense shakes out.

[doolittledog]

Coe vs. UD being the last weekend of the season certainly has the potential to be a big game depending on how other games play out earlier in the season.  

UD vs Wartburg the weekend earlier could also be a big one.  Final game of the year for the Knights.  

I am curious to see how Simpson does this year.  Should be a good indicator how the new coach in Indianola will do.  Same goes for Coe.  

The last 2 years it's been Central and Wartburg as the best teams with Coe and Dubuque about a half notch below.  If Simpson steps up to the plate after a few down years it will be interesting to see if another team takes a step back of if you will have a bunch of teams beating each other up and you end up with a conference champ with 2 or maybe even 3 losses.  

[koekrazy87]

I'm curious about peoples thought.  What first year head coach will have the best season?

[New Storm]

Coe vs. UD being the last weekend of the season certainly has the potential to be a big game depending on how other games play out earlier in the season.  

UD vs Wartburg the weekend earlier could also be a big one.  Final game of the year for the Knights.  

I am curious to see how Simpson does this year.  Should be a good indicator how the new coach in Indianola will do.  Same goes for Coe.  

The last 2 years it's been Central and Wartburg as the best teams with Coe and Dubuque about a half notch below.  If Simpson steps up to the plate after a few down years it will be interesting to see if another team takes a step back of if you will have a bunch of teams beating each other up and you end up with a conference champ with 2 or maybe even 3 losses.  

That would be a great conference season parity yes

[New Storm]

I'm curious about peoples thought.  What first year head coach will have the best season?

Simpson has a lot of returning players should be a big plus but then so does Coe

[Purple Heys]

The combination will lead to something that hasn't been seen at Cornell lately

1 conference win will accomplish this..... 

My skeptism around Cornell is based on:

0 Conference wins the last 2 years
2 Conference wins the last 4 years
0 Wins against Central the last 10 years (Combined Score of the 10 games 389-62 w/ 2 games where Cornell scored > 7 pts)
1 Win against Wartburg the last 10 years

Just hard to imagine Cornell challenging for a conference title.  Maybe they will.....but....

I tend to agree.....but we could have put up similar numbers about UD 10 years ago, right? I suppose anything can happen....

Well, I didn't mention the school Cornell beat for their 2 conference wins...maybe doolittledog can help? 

So, I guess things can turn around quickly......

I am going to take and "objective" stab at this...as objective as a recognized die-hard Cornell Ram fan can be.

Why this year will be different:

1) Talent.  I believe the talent level has increased by a measurable amount.  This is due to the maturation of young players who played a lot as Freshman and Sophomores over the last 2 years.  I believe the fruits of that experience will show this year.  There is individual talent throughout the lineup that would be leading players on every other IIAC team.  Coach Dillon's challenge is to get that talent the opportunity to shine.  I saw flashes of it last year, just not enough.

2) The rest of the League.  Significant talent on other IIAC rosters is gone to graduation and coaching changes bring uncertainty.  Other teams appear to be more vulnerable, especially teams that Cornell played tough last year.

3) The QB position will be more productive.  Last year we scrambled with a stop gap solution when the incumbent did not return.  It laid waste to our chances for improvement last year but over the long haul, we are better off.  Sophomore Dallas Bush is as good an athlete ast here is the conference and he has the tools to play the position.  Last year gained him some valuable experience.  He has legitimate support in RB Travion Hardman and a go-to target in Heys Jr. @ TE, very competent receivers on the outside.  After speaking with Jr. about the O-Line situation, I feel better because I believe we have a solid core...we'll see who steps up to fill the gaps left to graduation.

4) Blind hope.  I am with Brother Showme on this.  Hell, we can't get any worse.

Example:  I am not saying Cornell will beat Coe this year.  I am saying Cornell could beat Coe this year... IF and/or BECAUSE:

A:  We play early in the season...perhaps within the time that the Kohawks have not yet got in sync with the new coach.

B:  Hard to argue that Coe's defense is a fine unit.  On the other hand hand it's hard to argue that there are no question marks with Coe's offense.  If the Coe offense can't keep the Coe defense off the field through the first few games of the season, whose to say an overworked Coe defense retains its peal efficiency.  Plus being on the field more leads to more chances to get dinged up.

C.  Cornell plays at home, on grass...a different track for Coe players, might screw up offensive timing.

D.  Cornell played Coe tough at Coe last year.  With TeKippe at QB, Coe had a hard time moving the ball for 3.5 quarters.  Cornell didn't do much better with Freshman QB Bush.  Bush is back at the controls, and should be loads more comfortable.

E.  Motivation:  I may be wrong but I think Cornell players get up more for Coe than Coe players get up for Cornell...e.g. last year.


Working against us:
1) History.  Losing is a habit and a mentality that must be kicked like an addiction, but like an addiction is easy to fall back into.  When Cornell loses a game...it is what they do the next week that defines their development to be an improved team.

2) Depth.  We have almost none and cannot afford injuries.  Later in the season or late in games Cornell will need to hold it together...easier said than done, but the Rams have no choice; other teams have reserves.

[ShowMe]

It is always easy to predict that one or two games will play a key role in determining the conference champs.  In recent years most people have pointed to Central/Wartburg and that will be big again this year.  But what game will be a surprise pivotal game in determining the IIAC champion this year?  

1) Cornell vs Wartburg
2) Central vs Cornell
3) Coe vs Cornell

[Purple Heys]

When will the playoff run end?  In the Stagg against MUC or are they doomed to miserable suffering in the hail storm of the Cornell Resurgence (tm) as well?



(I'm actually hoping for a bit of a Cornell surge this year - I figure the fireworks of your support will be surpassed by no one else in the West.  Should be good viewing.)

We do wear purple...the color of champions...at least at the D3 level. 

BTW -  Our Homecoming fireworks are pretty darn impressive...   8)

[Purple Heys]

It is always easy to predict that one or two games will play a key role in determining the conference champs.  In recent years most people have pointed to Central/Wartburg and that will be big again this year.  But what game will be a surprise pivotal game in determining the IIAC champion this year?  

1) Cornell vs Wartburg
2) Central vs Cornell
3) Coe vs Cornell

Bartender...I'll have what he's having.

[Kohawk Krazy]

E.  Motivation:  I may be wrong but I think Cornell players get up more for Coe than Coe players get up for Cornell...e.g. last year.

Couple of ways to look at this one.  Coe has won 8-straight against Cornell.  Hard to get up for a rivalry when it's such one-sided. 

Another thing, this game has been played the last game of the year.  Two years ago, Coe was coming off back-to-back losses to Central and Wartburg, eliminating them for the Playoffs.  Then they had to play Cornell, and I'm not sure anyone on the field cared about that game other than Ashton Northern.

With this being the conference opener for both teams, you will see a Coe team that is much more into the game than in years past, at least I would hope so anyway.

[the_mayne_event]

I'm curious about peoples thought.  What first year head coach will have the best season?

Staker... most talent returning for 1st time coaches... coached the defense, which is Coe's best part, so he knows his players probably best.